Second Street // Part Twenty Seven

          Second Street

        Part Twenty Seven

Andy had gone home and Charlie was alone again but it was only going to be a wake up before Pam would be there. Just thinking of spending three days with her away from this God forsaken place warmed his thoughts. Charlie went to his bedroom and started to go through his clothes trying to pick things he might need. He took his leather duffel from the closet and started with the essentials, underwear, socks and t-shirts. He and Pam had not discussed what they would do but he assumed they would take in a show so he would need a suit. If he wore the suit in the morning he would not have to pack it and have it get all wrinkled. He knew jeans were a given. All this planning was driving him crazy. He went and put one of his new CD’s on to play. It was an Elton John, something called Madman Across The Water. He poured himself a good shot of jack and retrieving his journal, sat to write. He put the book to his nose and inhaled deeply. He opened it and stroked the pages he had previously written. Charlie picked up his pen and began casting his memories of the day down on the pages before him. As he wrote he wondered if he would run out of Jack or ink first. He had written his way through Elton and went to change to different music. He had not realized just how much he liked music. It was always playing somewhere but to him had all become elevator music, always there but never paid attention to. He was so glad for Pam and Andy. He continued with his penned thoughts for awhile longer, some more drinks and decided to get some sleep. He undressed and slid between the sheets to drift off to thoughts of the weekend.

Friday morning came very quickly, Charlie awakening full of expectations for the day. He couldn’t wait to see Pam! He quickly showered and made sure to shave ever so closely. He packed his shaving needs and toothbrush into his duffel. It was almost eight and a soft knock on the door was heard. It was Pam, looking ever so ravishing to him. It seemed to him every time he saw her she appeared just a bit different. He was fascinated by this and just loved it. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was and did not really care, he adored all the women she was. Pam attempted to enter the house but he held her at the door. What’s the matter Charlie, Pam asked? Listen baby, not just anybody gets in here. There is a test and a toll he jokingly told her. Pam put her hands on her hips and said, Ok buster let me have it! Well first you have to have the password, he said playing with her. Pam put a single finger to her lips in thought. Let’s see, how about New York City? Charlie looked at her sternly and told her, I think you got lucky baby. And what of the toll she played right back at him! He glanced up and to the right in thought. For Christ’s sakes Pam said, wrapping her arms around him and placing her tongue deep in his mouth. She kissed him for what seemed ten minutes but was not really. Wow, was what came from Charlie’s lips. That was some toll. Pam told him, just in case there is some kind of time limit, I should be covered! She laughed and came in. Snow had begun to gently fall. Pam said, are you all packed and ready? Charlie told her that he was not sure what he really needed. Pam went to the bedroom and dug through his duffel. Lover, grab a few shirts and a sweater and you’ll be fine. You’re  going to wear a suit today, she asked? Charlie explained his thoughts about that and made her smile. Men, she said. Ok then let’s get moving. We have a nine o’clock train to catch and we need fifteen minutes to get to the station. Charlie grabbed his duffel and an overcoat. He wrapped his scarf around his neck and this pleased her. Charlie checked all the windows and appliances, joining her at the door. Are you finally ready Mr. Fussy? Charlie sheepishly looked at her and said, Yes. I needed to make sure no one can come in and steal the fine linens and silver! She smiled and said come on honey, let’s go have fun. They got in the BMW and soon enough were at the station. Charlie said, why don’t you go check in and I’ll meet you in the main station? Ok lover, see you in just a few. Charlie took hold of the bags while Pam secured a permit for long term parking and placed in on the dashboard locking the car. She met Charlie in the main station. They had twenty minutes until their train left when Charlie suddenly had a look of apprehension come across his face. Pam he said in a panic, I forgot the certificate! Oh Charlie, you didn’t! We’re never going to make it back to the house and back here again! Our weekend will be lost. Pam gave him just enough time to be a  sorrowful man. Charlie, stop worrying, I took the certificate from the tree. I knew you had so much else on your mind. We are fine. Charlie felt embarrassed. Stop, Pam told him, do you think you are the first or only one to ever make a mistake? She put her arm around him and kissed his cheek several times. He hated feeling like a failure. The station loudspeaker system announced the arrival of their train. They boarded their car, Charlie still feeling like a failure. They took their seats and the train moved from the station. Pam could no longer stand this self improvised depression. She hiked up her skirt so she could comfortably sit on Charlie’s lap. She swung around and landed in his lap. Charlie she said, I am not going to do this all weekend. She held his face with both hands and kissed him gently. I’m sorry if I had worried you, he told her. I’ll get over it. You better she responded. Charlie’s thoughts wandered, this woman was a warrior in some past life he was sure of that. The train wound its way to the city passing farms and fields, passing through small towns filled with people living their lives, Dairy farmers, grocers, druggists, carpenters and dentists. Charlie could envision young girls headed to high school, excited at the thought of making the cheerleading squad. Of young boys, devising ways to get the attention of the girls. He saw herds of cows standing in the falling snow. These visions and thoughts sunk deep into Charlie’s mind. He wished he had his journal with him. Some of these towns so small they consisted of a church, a grocery, Laundromat and pharmacy. There were many barns along the way, some painted bright red and standing tall, others appeared to want to cascade to earth, in forlorn abandonment.

The train arrived in a timely fashion and there they were at the Port Authority in Manhattan. Thousands of people milling about, moving from track to track, train to train, bus to bus. Charlie thought to himself, he had never been to anyplace as crowded as this. He wasn’t sure as to his thoughts of it yet. Pam was right at home and seemed to have lived here before. Their train had come into the station on the lowest level, leaving them three floors to climb to get to the street. The stairs seemed the best bet, the elevators had hundreds of people crowded around them, pushing, shoving and jostling for position. There were burly policemen scattered about but certainly not to be missed. Their presence to be a deterrent for the pickpocket or mugger. They made their way to the street, Charlie carrying all the bags. Pam hailed a cab, immediately getting the attention of a yellow cab. He pulled to the curb, Pam opened the door for Charlie to throw the bags in and they climbed in right after them. Where to, the driver asked? Pam looked at the certificates and told the driver, the Marriot, 85 th West and Albany. The driver held up his fingers in acknowledgement, pulled down the flag and off they went. Charlie was fascinated looking all about. They passed Fordham, the television studios of CBS, Fox News, hundreds of restaurants, all the while thousands of people all moving about with seeming purpose. There seemed no window shopping or those out just for a stroll. Bike messengers sped by, weaving between the cars and pedestrians. It was amazing. It was a short ride and their driver pulled up at the main door of the Marriot, the doorman, opening the door and retrieving the bags from the cab. Pam and Charlie got out, Charlie paying the driver and giving him a decent tip. A bell hop had taken the bags from the doorman and was waiting for them close to the check in desk.

The lobby was massive and simply beautiful. The floors were of marble as well as towering marble columns. There were two curving staircases, massive in scale on either side of the room. Brass handrails, six inches in diameter to guide you on your way and the carpet ever so plush covering the marble treads. Pam locked her arm around Charlie’s and they made their way to the desk. Good morning, so nice to have you with us, how can we be of service, came the greeting from the woman behind the desk. She was a pretty brunette, dressed in a black slacks, white blouse, black vest with a necktie. Pam rummaged through her bag and took out the certificate, handing it to the woman. Oh certainly, the woman said. We have a beautiful room waiting for you, it overlooks the Hudson River, she told them. She assigned two key cards handing them to Pam. Our bellhop will show you to your room  and our concierge can be a valuable resource to you during your stay, please take full advantage of his local knowledge and services. Pam thanked the woman and turned to follow the bellhop. Charlie nodded a thank you to the woman and received a very large smile in return, he turned and joined Pam. They were shown to the fourteenth flour, the bellhop pushing his luggage trolley just a few doors down the hall. He opened the door and motioned for them to enter, following them in. the room was very large and had a separate sitting quarters. Pam looked at the bell hop and asked, are you sure we are in the correct room? Oh yes ma’am he responded. Pam said she bought a weekend package and this could not possibly be right? Sorry ma’am it is. There was a very big mix up with the marketing department and this is the result. He took their bags and situated them on the luggage rack, asking if there would be anything else? Charlie said no thank you, handing the man a ten dollar bill. This room was large and beautiful. There was a fantastic view of the Hudson, Charlie joking with Pam, telling her I can almost see Sully coming in for a landing now. She laughed with him. The bed was a king with six pillows, a forty two inch flat screen stood at the ready. Pam of course, was intensely interested in the bathroom. It had marble floors, heated towels racks, a bidet, separate shower and Jacuzzi tub and last but not least a view of the Hudson. The sitting room had several overstuffed chairs and a lounger that looked so comfortable Charlie just had to try it. Pam come here, he called. She came to his side and he pulled her to him, holding her in his arms, saying, let’s stay here forever, alright?